Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-04
JAKE PECORA.
Brief History of the Founder of
a Private Graveyard.

Jake Pecora was met at the Union
depot by Star reporter this morn
ing. He was en- route to California
Jake is well known to the sporting
fraternity of the country. Although
he is mild-mannered when "things
come his way" he is terror" when
aroused. He is slightly below medi-
um height, thick set, with dark hair
and eyes. He is about 35 years of age
and native of Italy.
At the age OF 6 years Pecora came
to America with his parents and start
ed in life as an itinerant musician or
strolling violinist. In 1875 be went to
Joplin, Mo-, where he continued to
reside eight years, during which time
he was engaged in running variety
theater. Joplin is mining town and
bears reputation for "toughness"
unequalled by any place of twice its
size in the State. Jake soon realized
the fact that he must either get out of
the town or be carried out in wooden
box, or else bring the existence OF
others to sudden termination. He
chose to remain, and when he finally
departed to return no more three
headstones in the Joplin cemetery at
tested the accuracy Of his aim and the
folly of those who had put themselves
within range of his gun.
The first time-so far as known
that Pecora shed human gore was in
July, 1881. He had gone to Eureka
Springs for two weeks sojourn and
during his absence left restaurant
which he owned in Joplin in charge of
a negro named John Worlutt. When
he returned he found the place nearly
destitute of provisions and furniture,
and no money in bank to show for
sales during his absence. Jake de-
manded immediate settlement in full 4,
and when the colored man refused,
pulled his revolver and shot him in
the foot. He was tried for assault
with intent to do bodily harm and was
acquitted. In the spring of 1882
Pecora and Jim Carney, of Gin
cinnati, came together, and the lat
ter was killed. Carney was known as
a man-killer, and was generally
feared. One afternoon he sauntered
into Pecora's Theater, and remarked
that he had come to "clean it out. -
He pulled gun and fired at Jake,
but missed him. Jake then went
behind the bar and got his own
weapon. Eleven shots were exchanged,
five of which were fired by Jake.
When the smoke cleared away Car
ney was found dead. Four bullets
had entered his abdomen and death
was instantaneous. Charley Thomp-
son, a well-known Kansas City tough,
who, however, took no part in the
affray, received a bullet in the back,
and expired within twenty minutes.
When the case was tried the jury
returned a verdict of justifiable homi-
eide.
The same year, while at Indian
Springs, Mcdonald county, Mo-, Jake
had dispute with Dick Goran about
horse race. Goran, who was holding
the stakes, refused to give Jake his
money, and when the latter insisted
that he should do so, without further
delay fired eighteen buckshot at him
from a musket, none of which hit him.
Jake, with his usual promptitude,
drew his revolver and fired three shots,
two Of which took effect in GOran's
left breast just above the heart. AL
though dangerously wounded, Goran,
after several weeks in bed, recovered.
While engaged in poker game
with a well-known bully in Joplin in
1883 the latter attempted to appropri-
ate the stakes. Jake said: "No, you
don't. You will have to get me before
you get the money" The bully, who
had terrorized the town on former oc-
casions, pulled his gun, and Jake,
after displaying his own weapon,
quietly raked in the money and left
the room unmolested.
Jake Pecora has travelled all over
the United States and territories. He
has lived in the mining camps of the
far West and has dwelt upon the
plains OF Texas Kansas City Times.